Are there any good BMI charts for women available online?

A:

Quick Answer

There are accurate body mass index, or BMI, charts and calculators available for women through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WebMD. However, BMI charts are standardized for adults or children, not by gender, according to the CDC.

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The BMI chart is a standard used by medical professionals to help determine if a person is overweight or at risk for certain weight related health problems. This chart can also help women identify what is considered to be a healthy weight range based on their height in inches. The BMI is a two-digit number ranging from 19 to 54 that is arrived at by cross-referencing a person's height in inches with their weight in pounds. A number of medical associations and institutes make a BMI chart available on their websites, usually along with a BMI calculator. The calculator gives an instant BMI number based on the input of a height and weight. Women can look up this BMI number on a corresponding chart to find out if they are generally considered overweight and to see their healthy weight range.

The BMI is not considered a diagnostic tool by itself, according to the CDC. There are many other factors that can affect weight, including bone density and muscle mass.